A new charter is being introduced to give residents in the borough’s seven towns a stronger voice in local regeneration projects.
This ‘community-led regeneration’ charter emphasises the inclusion of residents from the beginning of any project, outlining clear roles for the council, developers, and the community. It aims to ensure that often-unheard voices have more opportunities to participate in shaping their areas.
Councillor Shital Manro, the council’s cabinet member for good growth and new homes, highlighted the importance of community involvement, stating that local people understand their neighbourhoods best. By involving residents in decision-making, the initiative seeks to enhance community pride, connection, and shared purpose, ultimately leading to thriving towns. The focus is on regenerating with communities, ensuring every voice contributes to creating a fairer, more vibrant borough.
The charter serves as a guide for those involved in regeneration projects, detailing the council’s priorities and the standards developers must meet to work in the borough. Key aspects include early information sharing, keeping residents informed, and allowing them to influence the design of homes, streets, and local spaces.
Fifteen priorities were co-created with the community during engagement events starting in August 2025. These priorities emphasise sustainability, protecting existing communities, respecting identity, heritage, and history, and ensuring long-term stewardship of the borough.
The charter aligns with the council’s ambition to create places that support good health, learning, jobs, culture, and community life. It encourages projects that deliver long-term benefits to local people by linking investment to impactful aspects of daily life, such as well-designed homes, green spaces, and community facilities.
In the coming months, the council will collaborate with a steering group of residents, community organisations, and local groups to develop an engagement toolkit. This toolkit will specify how and when communities can participate in regeneration projects, establish decision-making rules, and ensure that community views influence plans.
The charter aims to foster projects that bring lasting improvements to the borough, enhancing the quality of life for its residents.
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